"Updating your journal?" Imran asked. Aku tersenyum.
"Kind of....", I replied. "What should I get for your mother?", I asked innocently.
"What do you mean....", he wasn't sure what I meant.
"What I mean....since I am meeting your mother for the first time....should I get a nice gift for her? I am not sure of the local customs here......maybe you care to enlightened me......", I explained.
Imran laughed....."Enlighten you...? You ni cute la.....nak ambil hati future mother in-law lah ni ya....?", he responded. "Don't worry.....and it is very thoughtful of you Q......you know what, how about we'll stop on the way to Ubud and get some local desserts?" he suggested.
"I like that idea....", I answered. "What type of dessert are we getting?" I asked again.
"Well, there's Klepon which is very similar to kueh buah melaka or ondeh-ondeh. And then there is Kue Jaje Bantal macam chinese kueh 'chang' which is also wrapped in daun palas. Kadang-kadang intinya kacang merah or it can also contain cooked beef rendang or whatever is available. The oblong shape is why it is call bantal. We could also get some Laklak, which is my favorite. They are smaller version of pancakes and you eat with grated coconut and palm sugar....". Imran explained dengan panjang lebar.
I kept quiet as I listen him describing the local dessert. Jari jemari aku pantas mengapai kekunci tekan Ipad.
"Did you manage to get all.....", Imran bertanya. Aku memaling kepala ke kanan....."You perli I ye.....?" I said and smiled at him......
Imran giggled....."Tak ...I tak perli you....I cuma bergurau.....losen up a little....you nervous ke?", he replied.
Aku mecebek muka aku dan mengeleng kepala dan menjawab...,"Nope. I am fine."
Then he asked, "What's your favourite kueh?"
I left the question unanswered.
"So why is that you don't stay with your mother when you come back to Bali?", I bluntly asked him.
"Hmmmmm......., it's a long story....", he replied. His voice sounds heavy.
"I'm sorry.....I didn't mean to pry into your private life...anyway, let's change the subject....", I responded as I was making him rather uncomfortable with that conversation.
"No....nothing to be sorry about....I will tell you when we leave Ubud...., I promise...", he said and I just kept quiet. I am starting to get anxious they way he reacted. Kenapa agaknya? Apa misteri sebenar?
We had a change of clothes and on the way to Ubud, we stopped by a shop selling many local pastries and delicacies. They were so colorful and obviously sweet. Thinking about it make my tooth ache....I smiled to myself. Imran was selecting the best piece for his mom. He popped in a few hundred rupiah in to the lady's hand. She didn't want to accept except the exact amount but Imran insisted. Instead, the lady added 5 pieces of Klepon. Imran bring his palm together, graciously thanked and bow slightly out of respect. "Sopannya", bisik hati aku.
We arrived in Ubud to an open sight location. I was a little confused. It looks like a majestic palace since there are guards standing at two entrances. Adjacent to the palace somewhat looks like a temple as people come and go, making offerings. Palm leaves made into square mini basket contains food and flowers...placed all over the walkway.....
Imran introduce ourselves to the guard and that we are here to meet Ibu Dewi Kusuma. "Sbentar ya pak....permisi....", said the guard as he left us standing under the sun. I find it quite odd as I see lots of tourist a like walking on the premise. Is this a public place? And why are we meeting his mother here?
The guard who was wearing a sarong, short sleeve shirt and a head gear came back. "Silakan.....", he said and guided us to a garden with a gazebo. "Puteri Jero Ayu...., ini tetamunya...", said the guard and Imran quickly passed the sweet dessert to the guard.The guard took 3 steps behind, bowed and left. Later I found out that he is not a guard. He is a palace servant!
We stood standing facing Puteri Jero Ayu. She was perhaps in her late fifties but still looks beautiful. She does not need make-up. Her smiles brings out the natural beauty in her. Sekali pandang she looks like the Bond girl, Barbara Carrera especially with her tanned skin. Imran doesn't look anything like his mother. Maybe he gets his looks from his father.....
Aku memerhatikan Imran yang dari tadi menundukkan kepala dan memberi salam hormat seperti yang dia lakukan pada penjual kueh. Aku pun ikut sama apa yang Imran buat.
Imran greeted his mother, "Om suastiastu, Bunda...punapi gatra?", and he lifted his head.
"Imran, kemari.....aku ini Bunda kamu...tak perlu protokol...aku orang Sunda...", she insisted Imran sat next to her. Imran obliged and invited me to sit next to him. "Bunda merindui kamu. Kapan tiba di Bali?", as she caresses Imran's hand. I was so fascinated how soft and gentle her spoken words.
"Udah 5 hari dan Imran akan berangkat pulang ke Malaysia esok. By the way, I missed you very much, Bunda.". He hugged his mother.
"Bunda, Imran kemari mahu Bunda ketemu teman istimewa. Ini, Quxandria." Imran introduce me to his mother. I stood up, salam dan mencium tangan Ibu Imran.
I looked up and saw she smiled, "Cocok sekali buat kamu....kemari....", she said to me and I slowly sat next to her. Imran's mother took my hand and saw the ring. "Lumayan....Sira wastan jerone....ah! maaf Bunda ya....apa nama ya, lupa Bunda".
"Quxandria, or Q...for short.", I replied. Imran memerhatikan aku sambil tersenyum.
"I'm sensing that both of you are in a relationship? Quxandria sukak sama Imran?", his mother asked in an Australian accent.
"Ya Bunda.....", aku menjawab pendek.
Then the servant arrived and served us the desserts we brought earlier. "Rahajeng semeng." said the servant and place the dessert in front of us.
"Mari teman Bunda ngajeng....", she said. I guess she is inviting us to eat with us. Then she place each dessert on to a plate and placed in front of me. I thanked her.
"Bunda, Imran kemari untuk ask for your blessing. I want to marry Q....", Imran explained.
His mother turned to me. "Apa Quxandrian setujuk?, his mother asked. I wasn't sure if she was asking the question because Imran immediately replied, "Yes she has accepted my proposal.", and nodded at the same time.
"Baik buat anak Bunda, baik juga buat Bunda. Bunda restu pilihan Imran. Harus jadi suami yang baik dan bertimbang rasa. Inggih, Bunda senang sekali pilihan kamu." She kissed Imran on the forehead. Imran again held his hands close together and slightly bow, "Matur suksma." His mom bowed back in return.
I don't quite understand with the mixed language between them. Must be Balinese. The 'protocol' mentioned earlier made me more confused. All in all it was a fruitful visit.
